Furniture glide with polymer support platform

ABSTRACT

A furniture glide including a ferrule having a circular bottom wall and an upstanding cylindrical side wall. A support platform composed of polymeric material is positioned in the ferrule. The support platform has a platform base in contact with the bottom wall and a support column extending upward from the platform base to a support shoulder. A clip has a clip hub in contact with the support shoulder and multiple clip arms which extend radially outward and longitudinally downward from the clip hub to engage a furniture leg inserted into the ferrule. A glide base is mounted to the ferrule.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to the field of furniture glidecomponents. More specifically, this invention relates to an improvedswiveling furniture glide for the leg of an article of furniture and amethod for manufacture of the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Furniture glides are well known for fixation to the leg of anarticle of furniture to protect the end portion of the leg from damage,and further, to protect a floor surface from damage as a result of thefurniture leg.

[0003] The conventional furniture glide typically employs a plasticbottom surface for contact with the floor to allow sliding of thefurniture on a floor surface without excessive gouging or scratching ofthat floor surface. Furthermore, the conventional furniture glidespreads the mass of the furniture and any additional mass, for example,a person sitting in a chair, over a larger surface area to preventdenting or impression into the floor surface. Some furniture glidesfurther employ a swiveling mechanism to allow the bottom of the glide torest flat on a floor surface for varying angles of the furniture leg.The swiveling mechanism compensates for slight variations in the lengthsof the legs of furniture, variations in the flatness of the floorsurface, and splay in the legs of the article of furniture.

[0004] A conventional swiveling furniture glide requires at least threeassembly operations for complete construction. In the first operation atubular clip for gripping a furniture leg is inserted into a thin walledferrule having a constant diameter. The top edge of the ferrule is thenrolled or crimped to maintain the clip in position. In the secondassembly operation a disc shaped support platform is mounted to thebottom of the ferrule. The support platform reinforces the ferrule andprovides the structural support to hold the tubing of the leg. A rivethaving on one end a rounded portion, and on the other end an expandablehead, is inserted through aligned openings in the ferrule and supportplatform. The head of the rivet is expanded to fix the ferrule andsupport platform together. The rounded portion of the rivet supports apair of nesting shells. In the final assembly operation a nylon base forcontact with the floor, and a vinyl cushion, are installed by crimpingthe outer shell to the base whereby the cushion is between the roundedportion of the rivet and the base. The cushion absorbs the forces fromchanging weights on the furniture. The base allows the furniture toslide or glide along a floor surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Briefly stated, the furniture glide of the invention includes aferrule having a circular bottom wall and an upstanding cylindrical sidewall. A support platform composed of polymeric material is positioned inthe ferrule. The support platform has a platform base in contact withthe bottom wall and a support column extending upward from the platformbase to a support shoulder. A clip has a clip hub in contact with thesupport shoulder and multiple clip arms which extend radially outwardand longitudinally downward from the clip hub to engage a furniture leginserted into the ferrule. A glide base is mounted to the ferrule.

[0006] The height of the support platform is preferably selected suchthat the support shoulder is disposed proximate to the upper rim of theside wall and at least a portion of the clip hub extends upwardly beyondthe upper rim of the ferrule. The clip arms are resiliently flexible andfrictionally engage the inner surface of the furniture leg. A rivetmounts the support platform and the clip to the ferrule. Preferably, thehead portion of the rivet is disposed adjacent the upper surface of theclip, the elongated neck portion of the rivet extends through the cliprivet opening, a bore extending axially through the support platform,and the ferrule rivet opening, with a swivel portion of the rivet beingdisposed adjacent the lower surface of the bottom wall of the ferrule.

[0007] An object of the invention is to provide a furniture glide havingan improved support platform for supporting a furniture leg.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a furniture glidethat is more efficient to assemble.

[0009] A further object of the invention is to provide a furniture glidethat provides a reduced number of components.

[0010] These and other objects of the invention are readily apparentfrom review of the specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the furniture glide ofthe invention having a ferrule, a clip, a support platform, a rivet, aninner shell, an outer shell, and a glide base;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rivet of FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the glide base of FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the support platform of FIG.1;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the support platform ofFIG. 1; and

[0016]FIG. 6 is a top view of the clip of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] In the following description of the preferred embodiments of theinvention, like numeral identifiers represent like components asdepicted in the figures. The furniture glide in accordance with theinvention is generally designated by the numeral 10. With reference toFIG. 1, the furniture glide 10 has a ferrule 12. The ferrule 12 has acircular bottom wall 14 and an upstanding cylindrical side wall 16. Thebottom wall 14 defines a circular rivet opening 18 coaxial with theferrule opening 20. The bottom wall 14 of the ferrule 12 is furtherpreferably contoured having a dropped portion 21 adjacent the rivetopening 18. The inside diameter of the ferrule 12 and the ferruleopening 20 are selected such that a tubular furniture leg (not shown)may be easily inserted therein. Preferably, the ferrule opening 20 andthe ferrule 12 have the same inside diameter, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0018] With reference to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, a support platform 22 ispositioned within the ferrule 12. The support platform 22 is formed frompolymeric material, preferably nylon. An axial bore 24 extendinglongitudinally through the support platform 22 is coaxial with theferrule 12, the rivet opening 18, and the ferrule opening 20 when thesupport platform 22 is installed in the ferrule 12. The support platform22 has a platform base 26 having an outside diameter which is slightlysmaller than the inside diameters of the ferrule opening 20 and theferrule 12 to facilitate insertion of the support platform 22 into theferrule. The bottom surface 28 of the platform base 26 preferably has acontour which is complimentary to that of the bottom wall 14 of theferrule 12, having a dropped portion 30 that is tapered toward bore 24.The furniture leg is inserted through the ferrule opening 20 until fullyseated against the upper surface 32 of the platform base 26. Thethickness or height 34 of the platform base 26 is selected such that thesupport platform 22 and the ferrule 12 together, are fully capable ofsupporting a furniture leg under all conditions.

[0019] A support column 36 extends longitudinally upward from theplatform base 26 to a support shoulder 38. In a preferred embodiment, alower section 40 of the support column 36 has a frustoconical-shape,with the outside diameter of the base 42 of the lower section 40 beinggreater than the outside diameter of the top 44 of the lower section 40,to provide greater mechanical strength to the support column 36. Theheight 46 of the support column 36 is selected such that the supportshoulder 38 is positioned proximate to the upper rim 48 of the ferrule12.

[0020] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 6, a clip 50 formed from aresilient metal disk has a circular clip hub 52 and a plurality of cliparms 54 which extend radially outward and longitudinally downward fromthe clip hub 52. The spaces 56 disposed intermediate the clip arms 54have a semi-circular shape. The lower surface 58 of the clip hub 52 issupported on the support shoulder 38 of the support platform 22preferably such that at least a portion of the clip hub 52 extendsupwardly past the upper rim 43 of the ferrule 12 and the clip arms 54extend longitudinally downward into the ferrule 12.

[0021] The outside diameter defined by the clip arms 54 is selected suchthat it is slightly greater than the inside diameter of the tubularfurniture leg. The clip arms 54 are resiliently deformable whereby as atubular furniture leg is inserted into the ferrule 12, the end of thefurniture leg engages the clip arms 54 and deforms the clip arms 54radially inwardly to the smaller inside diameter of the furniture leg.The spring force of the clip arms 54 biases each clip arm 54 radiallyoutward to frictionally engage the inner surface of the furniture leg tothereby mount the furniture glide 10 to the furniture leg.

[0022] The clip hub 52 defines a central clip rivet opening 60. The cliprivet opening 60 is aligned with the bore 24 of the support platform 22when the clip 50 is mounted on the support column 36. The rivet openings18, 60 and the bore 24 are of the same diameter.

[0023] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a rivet 62 is secured throughthe clip rivet opening 60, the support platform bore 24, and the ferrulerivet opening 18. The rivet 62 has an expandable head portion 64, anopposite swivel portion 66, and an elongated neck portion 68 extendingtherebetween. The head portion 64 of the rivet 62 is inserted throughthe aligned clip rivet opening 60, support platform bore 24, and ferrulerivet opening 18 and rounded or peened over to pull the swivel portion66 against the bottom wall 14 of the ferrule 12. The rivet 62 securelyfastens the ferrule 12, support platform 22, and clip 50 together. Theswivel portion 66 of the rivet 62 extends downward from the bottom wall14 and radially outward to define a convex spherical outer swivelsurface 70 and a concentric inner spherical swivel surface 72.

[0024] A shell assembly 74, having an inner shell 76 and an outer shell78, slidably engages the outer swivel surface 70 of the rivet 62. Theinner shell 76 is generally spherical and defines a circular inner shellopening 80 having a diameter less than the swivel portion 66 of therivet 62. The inner shell 76 is nested within the outer shell 78. Theouter shell 78 has a generally frustoconical shape forming an expandedportion 82 defining an outer edge 84 and a reduced portion 86. The outershell 78 defines a circular outer shell opening 88 at the reducedportion 86 having a diameter less than the outer diameter of the innershell 76. The spherical shape of the inner shell 76 allows for improvedswiveling sliding engagement of the inner shell 76 with the outer shell78.

[0025] A glide base 90 is mounted to the expanded portion 82 of theouter shell 78. The glide base 90 is preferably molded as a unitary orsingular component. The glide base 90 is circular, having an annular rimportion 92 for engagement to the outer shell 78 and an axial elevatedcentral post portion 94. (See FIGS. 1 and 3) The glide base 90 ismounted in position by the crimped outer edge 84 of the outer shell 78.The post portion 94 of the glide base 90 defines a generally convex baseswivel surface 96 in congruent surface-to-surface contact with the innerswivel surface 72 of the rivet 62. The post portion 94 is dimensioned ofa sufficient height to maintain the shell assembly 74 in tightengagement with the swivel portion 66 of the rivet 62. The glide base 90is preferably constructed of a hard wear-resistant plastic such asnylon. The glide base 90 acts as a cushion and can slide or glide alonga floor surface.

[0026] While a preferred embodiment of the present invention and methodfor manufacture of the same has been illustrated and described indetail, it should be readily appreciated that many modifications andchanges thereto are within the ability of those of ordinary skill in theart. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to cover any and all ofsuch modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A furniture glide for use with a tubular furniture leg having aninner surface, the furniture glide comprising: a ferrule having acircular bottom wall and an upstanding cylindrical side wall having anupper rim; a support platform composed of polymeric material positionedin said ferrule, said support platform having a platform base in contactwith said bottom wall and a support column extending upward from saidplatform base to a support shoulder; a clip having a clip hub in contactwith said support shoulder and a plurality of clip arms extendingradially outward and longitudinally downward from said clip hub, eachclip arm being resiliently engageable to a furniture leg; and a glidebase mounted to said ferrule.
 2. The furniture glide of claim 1 whereinsaid support platform has a height wherein said support shoulder isdisposed proximate to said upper rim of the side wall.
 3. The furnitureglide of claim 2 wherein support column includes a lower section havinga frustoconical-shape.
 4. The furniture glide of claim 3 wherein saidlower section of said support column has a base and a top, each havingan outside diameter, the outside diameter of the base being greater thanthe outside diameter of the top.
 5. The furniture glide of claim 2wherein said clip hub has a lower surface supported on said supportshoulder of said support platform, at least a portion of said clip hubextending upwardly beyond said upper rim of said ferrule, said clip armsextending longitudinally downward into said ferrule.
 6. The furnitureglide of claim 1 wherein the clip arms are resiliently flexible andadapted for frictionally engaging the inner surface of a furniture leg.7. The furniture glide of claim 6 wherein the clip arms define aplurality of openings, each of the openings having a substantiallysemicircular shape.
 8. The furniture glide of claim 1 further comprisinga rivet fixing said support platform and said clip to said ferrule. 9.The furniture glide of claim 8 wherein said rivet has an expandable headportion, an opposite swivel portion, and an elongated neck portionextending therebetween.
 10. The furniture glide of claim 9 wherein saidsupport platform defines an axial bore, said bottom wall of said ferrulehas a lower surface and defines a ferrule rivet opening, and said cliphas an upper surface and defines a clip rivet opening, said head portionof said rivet being disposed adjacent said upper surface of said clip,said neck portion of said rivet extends through said clip rivet opening,said bore, and said ferrule rivet opening, and said swivel portion ofsaid rivet is disposed adjacent said lower surface of said bottom wallof said ferrule.
 11. A furniture glide comprising: a ferrule having acircular bottom wall; a support platform composed of polymeric materialpositioned in said ferrule, said support platform having a platform basein contact with said bottom wall and a support column extending upwardfrom said platform base to a support shoulder; a clip supported on saidsupport shoulder, said clip having a plurality of radially outward andlongitudinally downward extending clip arms; and a glide base mounted tosaid ferrule.
 12. A furniture glide comprising: a ferrule having acircular bottom wall and an upstanding cylindrical side wall having anupper rim; a support platform composed of polymeric material positionedin said ferrule, said support platform having a platform basesubstantially conforming with said bottom wall and a support columnextending upward from said platform base to a support shoulder disposedproximate to said upper rim of said ferrule; a clip having a clip hubsupported on said support shoulder and a plurality of clip armsextending radially outward and longitudinally downward from said cliphub; and a glide base mounted to said ferrule.
 13. The furniture glideof claim 12 wherein support column includes a lower section having afrustoconical-shape.
 14. The furniture glide of claim 13 wherein saidlower section of said support column has a base and a top, each havingan outside diameter, the outside diameter of the base being greater thanthe outside diameter of the top.
 15. The furniture glide of claim 12wherein at least a portion of said clip hub extend upwardly beyond saidupper rim of said ferrule and said clip arms extend longitudinallydownward into said ferrule.
 16. The furniture glide of claim 12 whereinthe clip arms define a plurality of openings, each of the openingshaving a substantially semicircular shape.
 17. The furniture glide ofclaim 12 wherein said support platform defines an axial bore, saidbottom wall of said ferrule has a lower surface and defines a ferrulerivet opening, and said clip hub has an upper surface and defines a cliprivet opening, and wherein said furniture glide further comprises arivet having a head portion disposed adjacent said upper surface of saidclip hub, a neck portion extending through said clip rivet opening, saidbore, and said ferrule rivet opening, and a swivel portion disposedadjacent said lower surface of said bottom wall of said ferrule.